Hong Kong taxi drivers are not required to learn Arabic, the commerce minister has said after authorities suggested providing service information in the language as part of the latest policy blueprint to attract new visitors.
Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah on Friday clarified the government’s proposal, following heavy criticism in which some cabbies described it as “nonsense” and “a waste of time”.
“I think learning the Arabic language is not easy,” Yau said, noting that the government was not demanding cabbies to do so.
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“If taxi drivers are interested in learning Arabic ... they can try to learn some basic phrases such as greetings or ‘thank you’.”
He said authorities only suggested cabbies provide information in Arabic because the government was hoping to attract investment and tourists from the Middle East, with the language being a need that should be addressed.
“So it will be good if there are instructions or signs in Arabic for passengers,” he said.
Yau added the government was building on mainland China’s good relations with Middle Eastern nations, with many Hong Kong companies tapping into opportunities in the region and vice versa.
In his third policy address on Wednesday, Lee also said the government would actively encourage various sectors of the community to enhance tourism support measures to create a friendly environment for Muslim visitors.
Other proposals in the blueprint included recommendations such as compiling a list of halal-friendly restaurants and encouraging commercial establishments to provide worship facilities.
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